Stephen Welsh

THEY say football without fans is nothing.

And you won’t hear any arguments from Stephen Welsh as he finally scored in a game when supporters were there to see it.


The young Celtic centre-back hit his first goal for the club against Motherwell last season when fans were locked outside.

On Sunday he powered a downward header past Scotland keeper Craig Gordon which had 60,000 cheering.


And Welsh beamed: “That’s my first goal in front of fans and I cannot even describe it. It is probably one of the best feelings I have ever had.

“For me the most important thing is to win the game and if I can contribute to that, then even better.

“But when you score the adrenaline gets to you!”

Welsh played his part in a fine Celtic performance which was only marred by two daft goals they conceded.


He added: “The first half was an unbelievable performance, probably the best I’ve seen in a while from a Celtic team.

“In the second half we were off it a wee bit, but that is maybe because of the intensity that we play at and you are going to get a bit tired.

“I’m very confident that will just come with the amount of games we are playing.

“As a defender, first and foremost I want to keep clean sheets, so not to do that is disappointing for me. I know we will go away and work on things to stop that.”



Kyogo Furuhashi lit up Celtic Park again, with the Japanese star scoring another big goal.

It was also a bruising day for the slightly-built attacker. But Welsh has no concerns that he’ll be able to handle life in Scottish football.

He added: “Kyogo’s quality speaks for itself. His movement is one of the best I have seen come into Celtic.

“It must be an absolute nightmare to play against.

“Actually, I know that myself already from training with him. I think that he also showed that he can play on the wing as well, instead of just being up front.

“He’s coming up against good defenders and big defenders who will want to be physical with him, but he’s always wanting the ball and I thought he handled that well.

“That is going to happen, especially in Scotland.”

 

He attacks the ball so well. We've not had a decent threat from corners etc for too long. He's not the tallest but his aggressiveness makes up for that. Absolutely superb header for the goal and was unlucky with a couple more.

 

Great seeing a young guy who supports the club coming through the ranks and performing well.

 

I agree. Always a bonus to have that element within the squad.


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This impressed me yesterday with Welsh in particular but the whole team, Hearts are a big physical team yet we won a lot of headers in their box. We probably should have scored a few more from headers yesterday.

It is also a plus of Ralston as he is aggressive in the air too, more in open play but helps us out when we do have a lack of height across the team.

 

My MoTM tonight.

Won everything in the air, aggressive, composed when he needed to be.

If this was a guy we signed from the Bundesliga he'd be a folk hero already.

 

It’s Walsh and Julien (when he’s fit) this season.

Looks better and more accomplished than Starfelt.

 

what a player, improving every game

 

Thought he was absolute class and like you said, if someone told you he was our £4m CB nobody would bat en eye based on recent performances. Also seen him cutting some of the rash challenges out of his game lately. Whether Starfelt settles or Julien returns, right now he has to be first choice CB.

 

Between him and Ralston for motm

 

Some player he's turning into

 

Louis?

 

Aye, same for me.

Both were brilliant all night man.

 

Massive, massive performance..

Him and Ralston were top drawer..

 

Great tonight..

 

Kept the backline together (except Ralston) on his own at times. Always calm and a reassuring presence. Bailed Starfelt and Taylor out on numerous occasions. Should be first pick now.

 

Stephen Welsh for Scotland!!!!!

 

He's really won me over, get someone other than Starfelt to partner him.